Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006 vs Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006 vs Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006 measures 17,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 15,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 at 2,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 tips the scales at 1 775 lbs — 680 lbs less than the Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006 at 1 095 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 75 hp for the Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006 and 90 hp for the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 35 gal and 33 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006 comes in at 15 lbs per hp versus 20 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelPro 179 DX BT
ModelVantage 20 L
Model Year2006
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam92 in. (2.3 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches92
Beam - Inches102
Depth - Detail36 in. (0.9 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters91.44
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches36
Depth - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail1,095 lbs. (497 kg)
Weight - Detail1,775 lbs. (805 kg)
Weight - kg496.68
Weight - kg805.13
Weight - lbs.1095
Weight - lbs.1775
Width [transom] - Detail76 in. (1.9 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Meters5.4
Length - Meters6.6
Length - Feet17
Length - Feet2
Length - Inches1
Length - Inches1
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 10 in. (5.4 m)
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 10 in. (6.6 m)
Length overall - Meters5.44
Length overall - Meters6.35
Length overall - Inches214
Length overall - Inches25
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]20 ft. 0 in. (6.1 m)
Body / Hull
Hull thicknessBottom: .100 in. (2.5 mm) Side: .072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (132 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail33 gal. (125 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Liters124.92
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal33
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max75 hp (56 kw)
Engine max90 hp (67 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,300 lbs. (590 kg)
Maximum capacityPerson: 1,450 lbs. (658 kg) Total: 2,052 lbs. (931 kg)
Maximum people5
Maximum people1
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailStandard Painted Bunk Style Trailer
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - Weight518 lbs. (235 kg)
Trailer - Weightnot available
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.080 in. (2 mm)
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2